However, the House Committee of the Whole never acted on the bill and, as per congressional rules, it expired.5 In January 2003, the Governor announced during his State of the Territory address that he would advocate convening a Fifth Constitutional Convention to draft a constitution that “will allow for more effective government and a structure that is responsive to the needs of all residents and enhances and empowers local autonomy for the islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas through municipal government”.6
En enero de 2003, en su discurso sobre el estado del Territorio, el Gobernador anunció que pediría que se convocara una quinta convención a fin de redactar una constitución que ayudara a aumentar la eficacia administrativa, a establecer una estructura que tuviera en cuenta las necesidades de todos los residentes y a potenciar la autonomía local de las islas de Santa Cruz, San Juan y Santo Tomás con administraciones locales6.